It’s tough all over in the housing market these days. You’d
think an upstanding member of the undead community like Zombie Marge would have very
little trouble finding a suitable place to live. Her standards are not high and
who wouldn’t want her in their neighborhood watch organization? She stays up
all night and is willing to bite anyone suspicious, well really, most anyone
else too.

In an unusual bit of synchronicity, the morning I started
writing this episode, Nathan Bachrach came on Channel 19 with a story about zombie mortgages. Well, I can tell you, that went right into the
strip!

By the end of the episode, it looks as if
Marge may have stumbled upon the perfect home. Or is it? Next time out, she comes face to face with
the holy ghosts. See you in two weeks.

As mentioned in the last post, I spent the weekend in
Columbus, Ohio at S.P.A.C.E., the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo. This
is one convention that I look forward to attending every year. Organizer Bob Corby
puts together a great show each and every time. With that many indie comics
creators together in one room, the sense of community is overpowering. It was the
camaraderie that impressed me the first time I attended the convention several
years ago. My first experience with S.P.A.C.E. led directly to putting together
the “Twelve-Way with Cheese” anthology. It encouraged me to take up creating
and publishing my strips again after so many years away from cartooning.

This year was no different. This is without a doubt the
friendliest, most supportive atmosphere of any comic gathering I’ve been to,
and the most creative as well. Our books sold well and were enthusiastically
received. SHAM Comics were of particular interest to folks once the concept was
explained.

One of the highlights was seeing the premiere of the newly
completed film, “The Amazing Cynicalman” by Matt Feazell. Anyone familiar with
mini comics will know Matt as one of the most prolific, successful and down
right funniest creators in the field. Cynicalman himself has been fighting crime
and holding down a temp job since the eighties; remember them? He was a back-up
feature in Scott McCloud’s “Zot!” and ran as a newspaper comic. Now, he is, at
last, a feature-length film.

So just how is this movie? Glad you asked. I’ll tell you.
It’s hilarious! Matt, as the writer and director, has successfully channeled
all the manic energy of the stick-figure mini comics into a highly inventive
live-action translation. The film is loaded with sharp, quirky dialogue and
clever sight gags and weird background detail. The movie is nicely cast, as
well. The leads playing Cynicalman, Edie Haskel and Antisocialman, were especially
good at delivering the laughs.

You can check out the trailer and read the story of the
making of Cynicalman at: http://home.comcast.net/~mattfeazell/MOVIE/index.htm

If you get the chance to see the film at a convention, grab
some popcorn and settle back for a fun experience. Don’t forget to turn off
your cell phone.

This episode was a blast to color. Marge continues to bumble around with little to no direction. Maybe next time she can accomplish something worthwhile. Who am I kidding? I doubt it.

On April 21 and 22, I will be heading to Columbus, Ohio for S.P.A.C.E., the Small Press Expo. If you like independently produced comics, (and face it, who doesn't?) this is the place to be! I have not missed one for the last several years. It's our third year as a dealer. Look forward to a full report next week. Once again I will be handing out Zombie Marge trading cards as promos. This year I'm sharing a table with fellow Twelve-Way artist, Bruce Chrislip. If you are in the neighborhood, drop in.

Since it’s an off week while I work on the next episode of
Zombie Marge Comix, here’s another story from the SHAM Comics archives, “Hilda
Hogthrottle’s Haunted Honeymoon.” This ghost story has not appeared in print as
yet. I’m saving it for the all-horror issue, The Crypt of SHAM. The original
version, called “The Legacy,” appeared in Out of the Night #16, August 1954. It
came to me in a heap of coverless golden age horror comics I picked up on ebay
for a few bucks. Had the comics been in good shape, they would have been far
beyond my price range. But these ratty versions suited my purposes just fine,
although they do smell.

The first thing I found appealing about the story, was the
couple sleeping in separate beds in the same room. It was a wonderful idea
perpetuated by TV sitcoms in the fifties and sixties, even funnier if this
couple were on their honeymoon. All the matronly women at the lawyer’s office
gave me the opportunity to turn Woodrow into a serial polygamist, which is
always comic gold. Even though it was only a two-page story, there was room for
lots of little gems. So, let this be a lesson to you ladies, always insist on a
prenup!

Zombie Marge continues to make herself at home in Tanglefoot Cemetery. This week she is joined by everyone's favorite sparkly vampire, Edward Cullen from Twilight. Not content to sulk in films and poorly written novels, he drops by to mope around with Marge. You would think they would hit it off like two undead kindred spirits, but Edward seems unfazed when Marge turns on the charm. Eddie will return and maybe next time bring his hunky werewolf pal with him.

If you like webcomics like I know I do, then treat yourself to a tall,
frosty Pop Smoothie. Twelve-Way with Cheese contributor and fellow zombie artist,
Christina Wald is premiering her unique brand of wonderful cultural
mash-ups at www.popsmoothie.com. First up is the stirring adventure of
Dance Mom Wars, set amid the fierce struggle of intergalactic dance
competitions. Christina has also posted some of her best comics from
Slam Bang and Twelve-Way. Hop on over and check them out. You can thank
me later.